DV Tape for XL1 or XL1S

[Dean Orewiler]

what pro fuji tapes do you use? And are they dry lubricant types??

[Kevin Janisch]

I use the DVC-60 Fujifilm DV. I believe they are the only miniDV tape Fuji makes. As far as if they are wet or dry, that's another story. I've read numerous conflicting posts here and all over the net. I think I read more posts that said they were dry than wet, but nothing concrete. What I do know is they work for me. Some swear by Panasonics, others swear by Sony (I believe Sony is wet), TDK, etc. Fujis work for me. Whatever brand, be sure to run a cleaner tape before switching brands or before using a brand new camera.


I get mine from tapeonline.com, great place.

http://www.tapeonline.com/store/prod...VFC%2DDVC%2D60

[Dean Orewiler]

I may pick up some of these because I don't hear many bad things about Fuji tapes...

[Danie Pretorius]

I have been using TDK mini DV for the past 4-5 years here in South Africa without a single problem!

[Jeff Mayne]

Ok, here we go again, I have a new XL1s on the way and want to know everyone's opinions on what tapes work best. I have an old xl1 and have had nothing but problems with the heads (been to Canon twice) and I have come to find out it may be becasue of the wet tapes I have been using from Sony. Now I know that there are hundreds if not thousands of educated people whom, use this forum and have experience with the ole XL1 and XL1s so let's hear your opinions on the Wet vs Dry tape debate.

[David Garvin]

Originally Posted by Jeff Mayne

let's hear your opinions on the Wet vs Dry tape debate.

All I know is that I stick to one brand IOW I don't switch from wet to dry. I have a consumer handycam that I've always used Panasonic tapes in and I regularly use an XL1 and an XL2 which only get Sony tapes.

It's frustrating to have to stock 2 tape brands but that's how it goes, but none of those three has had more or fewer head clog problems than the other two.

[Lorinda Norton]

A couple years ago I tried an experiment to see if a tape brand change would help my finicky XL1s. I kept the one XL1s on Sony tapes and switched the other to Fuji. (Yeah, it was cleaned first.) After a year I concluded it didn't make one bit of difference. Now I've switched back and use Sony tapes on both and am doing just fine. I don't think it matters as long as you -- say it all together now -- stick to one brand. :)

[Greg Boston]

FWIW, I ran TDK in my XL1 and then both XL2s. I had one dirty head message on the XL2 that cost me one shot, but a head cleaning took care of it.

-gb-

[Don Palomaki]

I've used almost exclusively Panasonic DVM60EJ tape in my XL1 and Gl1.

Any barand can turn out a bad tape (perhaps just containing some debris from manufacturing) every now and then. The higher end master series tapes, usually 2x or higher the price of the consumer tapes, are better in terms of quality control, and perhaps ability to deal with marginal signals. But you pay extras for that quality.

Try a tape, and stick with it if you are happy with the results. Conventional wisdom says clean heads if you change brands or type within a brand.

[Mike Teutsch]

Check out his recent post, the one by me, and I hope it helps you.

http://www.dvinfo.net/conf/showthread.php?t=90952

Mike

[Jeff Mayne]

Thanks for the responses guys... I just do not want a repeat of the problems I had with my old XL1. I am going to stick with the dry tapes because as I see it the wet tape (Sony) seems by being "Wet" it will attract and hold more dirt. But by all means lets continue the "Great Tape Debate"...